So, it finally happened. You either noticed a few fallen shingles on your property, or you started to see some leaks in your ceiling...but it has finally happened -- something is wrong with the roof.
Don’t panic! Your roof may be rigid, but it can’t handle everything. Whether it’s after a formal inspection from a local roofer or a cursory view from the street, once you’ve realized your roof has sustained enough damage for it to be noticeable, it’s time for you to do something. But what should you do? Should you get it patched up, or is it time for a whole new roof?
To answer that you’re going to need to understand a few things about roofing first.
So, what are the 4 differences between needing a roof repair or a roof replacement?
1.) Roof Condition
Of course, before you make any decisions about how to fix your roof, you need to first formally assess the damage it sustained. These damages can vary drastically, especially depending on whether it is a metal roof or a shingle roof. Though some roof damage may be obvious at first glance, sometimes it can take a trained eye to find a problem. That’s why it’s usually best to get a roof inspection from a local roofing company to ensure that you find out exactly what’s wrong with your roof before you get any job started.
Once you find out how bad the damage is, you can start to decide what would be the best course of action for your specific situation. If large debris hit your roof and left clear, and extreme damage on your roof, then you may want to consider getting a full roof replacement.
However, if it’s just a few missing or cracked shingles, then a replacement would likely be unnecessary, and a repair would be all you need. This will depend on your own situation and some other factors, such as which state the home resides in. The opinion of a roofing contractor in Austin, Texas might be completely different than the same roof being evaluated in Alabama by a Huntsville roofing contractor. This is due to varying weather, design styles, and professional opinion across different states.
2.) Roof Age
The age of your roof also plays an important role when it comes to deciding if you should invest in a roof repair or a roof replacement. Your roof is bound to get more feeble as it gets older.
If your roof is already very old, then what would normally be a small issue may be problematic for your roof. It’s also likely that an older roof has already been patched up at some point, whether it be from general wear or weather damage, which will only make it even more vulnerable. In other words, the older your roof, the more likely that a roof replacement may be a good idea.
A younger roof is almost always going to be able to handle taking more punishment than an older one. Its coating should still be fresh, and the shingles on it likely haven’t been worn down enough to come loose, or fall off. Even if it does sustain some level of damage, it’s probably only going to require a repair rather than a full-fledged replacement.
3.) Future Plans
If you don’t plan on staying in your current home for too long then it's important to consider if investing in a roof replacement would be helpful when you go to sell your home.
A new roof is sure to add a level of curb appeal to your home if future buyers come to tour it. No one wants to buy a home with an old rickety roof. If you are planning on selling your home in the near future, and your roof is damaged enough to cause problems in the house as well, then you may need to get a full roof replacement before you’re even able to sell the home.
Even if you don’t have plans to move out any time soon, you should still be proactive when it comes to fixing your roof issues, whether that’s through a replacement or a repair, to ensure that no long-term damage is sustained elsewhere in your home. This way if you do eventually sell, then you know your roof will be in good condition.
4.) Budget
How much you’re willing to spend to get your roof back in working order is another thing to consider when deciding between a roof replacement and a roof repair. Replacing your entire roof isn’t cheap and can take a while, depending on how big it is.
In conclusion, in some cases, repairing your roof can be just as expensive. You’ll need to figure out which option is best for you based on the other factors and then get a quote from a few local roofers to figure out which option would best fit into your budget. Try to find a roofer who will work with you to find a solution that you are comfortable with.
